The Premier League has postponed four further matches scheduled for this weekend due to an increase in coronavirus cases.

COVID-19 outbreaks have caused chaos in England's top flight, with a number of matches being postponed, including Thursday's clash between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester United's game against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

The Premier League has now confirmed that Southampton against Brentford, Watford against Crystal Palace, West Ham United against Norwich City and Everton against Leicester have all been called off.

"The League understands fans will be disappointed these matches have had to be postponed and apologises for the inconvenience and disruption caused. All other fixtures due to be played this weekend are currently scheduled to proceed as planned," read a statement from the Premier League.

"The board has agreed to postpone the matches after assessing individual club requests this evening.

"Brentford FC have an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. This has resulted in their training ground being closed which means they are unable to prepare for Saturday's match.

"Watford FC also continue to have an ongoing outbreak, resulting in their training ground being closed, and have an insufficient number of players available to fulfil their match.

"Norwich City FC have an insufficient number of players available to fulfil their match due to COVID-19, injuries and other illnesses.

"Leicester City FC have a COVID-19 outbreak within the squad which has left the club with an insufficient number of players available to fulfil the match. The club's first-team training ground was closed this morning to help contain the outbreak."

There are now growing calls for a circuit breaker to be introduced, with the next gameweek and the League Cup quarter-finals being postponed, with a view to potentially resuming the play on Boxing Day. body check tags ::